5 Hidden Gems on Xbox Game Pass

With over 350 titles to choose from, Xbox Game Pass can be overwhelming. From AAA titles to niche indie darlings, there is something on the subscription service for everyone. However, wading through the expansive catalog is not for the faint of heart. Plenty of titles may pique gamers' interest, but it can be challenging to find your next obsession.

With that in mind, let’s look at games that deserve more love. These games range from giving players relaxed experiences to bone-crushing journeys. Xbox Game Pass has so much to offer, so let’s take a look at some often overlooked titles.

This might be one of the most punishing games Xbox Game Pass has to offer. Players take control of Grey Irma, a warrior made of clay, looking for her maker. This Soulslike Metroidvania title is dripping with grimdark aesthetics and deep lore. Players must fight through a world of hazardous platforms and nightmare creature enemies.

The gameplay is as punishing as it is rewarding for players who are looking for a challenge. Developer Black Mermaid has crafted a dark world that will speak to fans of games such as Blasphemous and Salt and Sanctuary. While this game might not be for everyone, Moonscars is a revelation for Game Pass fans wanting a brutal experience.

Some games defy genre. Origame Digital’s Umurangi Generation is one of those games. This entry might be one of the most unique experiences on Game Pass. Cultivating game mechanics from titles such as Pokémon Snap and Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Umurangi Generation is a standout on the service.

Players take control of a Māori courier for the Tauranga Express, who documents an alien invasion in New Zealand. The gameplay is simple in execution yet insanely profound as you explore the world. Umurangi Generation focuses on artistic expression through challenge-based photography. The aesthetics are simple and help paint a picture of a world on the brink of extinction. There’s also an adorable penguin who is impossible not to love.

Witch Bean’s simplistic puzzle game Unpacking is a brilliant meditation on growing in and out of relationships. This might be the most mellow game available on Xbox Game Pass. Players pack and unpack a female protagonist’s belongings in various stages of her life. Rifling through her worldly possessions gives the player insight into her life and current living situation.  

Unpacking is simplistic in its approach to storytelling. However, if players take the time to survey their surroundings, they might find a deep connection to the anonymous protagonist. This game is simply brilliant. Its simple execution is unlike anything else Game Pass has to offer. This game will make players laugh, cry, and reflect on their own growth in life.

Neon Giant’s The Ascent is a cyberpunk action RPG with an insane amount of depth and world-building. In terms of isometric role-playing titles, this game shares a lot of DNA with games like Diablo and Baldur’s Gate. Where it differs is the pace of progression and the dark, dank science fiction dystopia setting.

For gamers looking for a stopgap before Diablo IV makes its release, The Ascent will certainly scratch an itch. It has a robust loot system and deep customer customization. The combat is rewarding, and all the weaponry has a wonderful weight to them. The Ascent is a must-play for fans of the cyberpunk genre and lovers of gritty role-playing games.

What’s better than doing chores? Well, if FutreLab’s PowerWash Simulator is any indication, it’s doing chores in a video game. There has been a plethora of menial task simulation games. However, PowerWash Simulator stands head and shoulder above the competition. This is the perfect video game play on Game Pass while you listen to podcasts or catch up on new music releases.

This game demands very little of its audience but rewards them handsomely. The gameplay feels like the most non-violent FPS ever created. The story is hidden in the crevices of the game and doesn’t affect too much. If anything, it’s just texture to one of the best simple games ever produced. For hardcore gamers to filthy casuals, PowerWash Simulator is a must-play for players looking to unwind.